Printer and cleaning device therefor

ABSTRACT

A printer comprises a guide rod, an optical strip, an inkjet device and a cleaning device. The optical strip is parallel to the guide rod. The inkjet device is disposed on the guide rod, comprising an encoder, wherein the optical strip passes the encoder. The cleaning device cleans the optical strip, wherein the optical strip passes the cleaning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a printer, and in particular to a printer with automatic cleaning capability optical strip automatically.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 a shows a conventional printer 10 comprising a housing 1, a guide rod 2, an inkjet device 3 and an optical strip 4. The guide rod 2, the inkjet device 3 and the optical strip 4 are disposed in the housing 1. FIG. 1 b is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 1 a, wherein the inkjet device 3 is disposed on the guide rod 2 and moves thereon, and the optical strip 4 is parallel to the guide rod 2. FIG. 1 c is a rear view of the inkjet device 3, wherein the inkjet device 3 comprises an encoder 5 disposed thereon, and the optical strip 4 passes the encoder 5. The printer 10 utilizes the encoder 5 to read optical marks (raster) from the optical strip 4 to control moving distance and speed of the inkjet device 3.

After a period of operation, the printer is befouled by ink drops and particles. The particles, ink and oil adhere to the surface of the optical strip 4, covering the optical marks thereon, such that encoder 5 cannot read them, promoting dislocation, system crash and collision.

Conventionally, to clean the optical strip 4, the housing 1 and other elements are disassembled, and the optical strip 4 is cleaned manually. This process costs time and money.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention provides a printer comprising a guide rod, an optical strip, an inkjet device and a cleaning device. The optical strip is parallel to the guide rod. The inkjet device is disposed on the guide rod, comprising an encoder, wherein the optical strip passes the encoder. The cleaning device cleans the optical strip as the optical strip passes the cleaning device.

The printer of the invention utilizes the cleaning device to clean the optical strip automatically, requiring no disassembly of the housing and other elements, with cleaning process simplified, and time reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a shows a conventional printer;

FIG. 1 b is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a rear view of a inkjet device of conventional printer;

FIG. 2 shows a printer of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a inkjet device of the invention;

FIG. 4 a shows detailed structure of a cleaning device of the invention;

FIG. 4 b shows the cleaning device cleaning an optical strip;

FIG. 5 a shows a cleaning device of a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of a first unit and a second unit of the invention;

FIG. 5 c shows the cleaning device cleaning the optical strip in the modified embodiment; and

FIG. 6 shows another modified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 2 shows a printer 100 of the invention, comprising a housing 110, a guide rod 120, an inkjet device 130 and an optical strip 140. The guide rod 120, the inkjet device 130 and the optical strip 140 are disposed in the housing 110. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the inkjet device 130, wherein the inkjet device 130 comprises an encoder 150 disposed thereon, and the optical strip 140 passes through the encoder 150. The printer 100 utilizes the encoder 150 to read optical marks from the optical strip 140 to control moving distance and speed of the inkjet device 130. The printer 100 further comprises a cleaning device 200 which the optical strip 140 passes through, and the cleaning device 200 can run along the optical strip 140 in phase with the encoder 150. In addition, the cleaning device 200 selectively contacts and cleans the optical strip 140.

FIG. 4 a shows detailed structure of the cleaning device 200, which comprises a housing 201, a first unit 210 and a second unit 220. The first unit 210 and the second unit 220 are disposed in the housing 201. The first unit 210 is E-shaped and is movable. The second unit 220 is U-shaped and fixed in the housing 201. The first unit 210 comprises a first cleaning element 211, two first magnetic elements 212, a first elastic element 213 and a first pipe 214. The second unit 220 comprises two second magnetic elements 222 which face to the first magnetic elements 212. The first pipe 214 is connected to the first cleaning element 211, an end thereof expose out of the housing 201, and another end thereof is connected to the first cleaning element 211. In addition, one end of the first elastic element 213 is fixed on the housing 201 and the other end is connects to the housing 201. When the printer 100 is in standby state or printing state, the first unit 210 is in a first position A1, and the first cleaning element 211 is separated from the optical strip 140.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4 a, the first magnetic elements 212 are magnetized by electric current, and the magnetic elements 222 which provided to attract the first magnetic elements 212 are permanent magnets. However, the invention is not limited thereto, the first magnetic elements 212 may be permanent magnet and the second magnetic elements 222 may be magnetized by electric current. Moreover, the first magnetic 212 can be magnetized by one current, and the second magnetic 222 can be magnetized by the other current in opposite direction.

In accordance with the embodiment, the second unit 220 is fixed in the housing 201, however, in an alternative aspect of the invention, the second unit 220 can be moveable.

With reference to FIG. 4 b, when the printer 100 is in a cleaning state, the optical strip 140 is cleaned, wherein the first magnetic elements 212 (electromagnet) are magnetized by electric current, and a magnetic force is formed between the first magnetic elements 212 and the second magnetic elements 222. Thus, the first unit 210 is moved to a second position A2 from the first position A1, and extends the first elastic element 213. In the second position A2, the first cleaning element 211 contacts and cleans the optical strip 140 which moves relative thereto.

Before the cleaning state, water or cleaning agent can be applied on the first pipe 214 to moisten the first cleaning element 211 and improve cleaning effect.

After the optical strip 140 is cleaned, the magnetic force between the first magnetic elements 212 and the second magnetic elements 222 is terminated by stopping the electric current, and the first unit 210 is moved from the second position A2 to the first position A1 via the elastic force of the first elastic element 213. The first elastic element 213 is a spring.

FIG. 5 a shows a cleaning device 200′ of another embodiment of the invention, wherein the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 are movable. In addition, the second unit 220 is also E-shaped (with reference to FIG. 5 b), and further comprises a second cleaning element 221, a second elastic element 223 and a second pipe 224. The second pipe 224 is connected to the second cleaning element 221 which disposed on the second elastic element 223; and the second elastic element 223 is connected to the housing 201. The first unit 210 and the second unit 220 are movable. When the printer 200 is in standby state or printing state, the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 are in a first position A1, and the first cleaning element 211 and the second unit 220 are separated from the optical strip 140.

With reference to FIG. 5 c, when the printer 200 is in cleaning state, the optical strip 140 is cleaned, wherein a magnetic force is formed between the first magnetic elements 212 and the second magnetic elements 222. Thus, the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 move to a second position A2 from the first position A1. In the second position A2, the first cleaning element 211 and the second cleaning element 221 contact and clean the optical strip 140 which move relative thereto.

Before the cleaning state, water or cleaning agent can be applied on the first pipe 214 and the second pipe 224 to moisten the first cleaning element 211 and second cleaning element 221 to improve cleaning effect.

After the optical strip 140 is cleaned, the magnetic force between the first magnetic elements 212 and the second magnetic elements 222 is terminated, the first unit 210 is moved from the second position A2 to the first position A1 via the elastic force of the first elastic element 213, and the second unit 220 is moved from the second position A2 to the first position A1 via the elastic force of the second elastic element 223. The second elastic element 223 is a spring.

FIG. 6 shows another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the cleaning device nears the encoder 150.

In accordance with this invention, the first magnetic elements 212 is permanent magnet and the second magnetic elements 222 is magnetized by electric current. In addition, the first magnetic 212 is magnetized by one current, and the second magnetic 222 is magnetized by the other current in opposite direction. And with another alternative aspect of the invention, the first magnetic elements 212 is magnetized by electric current and the second magnetic elements 222 is permanent magnet.

The magnetic elements 212 and 222 each include two magnetic elements in this invention, but it is not limited to thereto.

The printer of the invention utilizes the cleaning device to clean the optical strip automatically, requiring no disassembly of the housing and other elements, with cleaning process simplified, and time reduced.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1. A cleaning device for cleaning an optical strip, comprising: a first unit, comprising a first cleaning element and a first magnetic element; and a second unit, comprising a second magnetic element, wherein the first unit moves from a first position to a second position by magnetic force between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, and the first cleaning element contacts and cleans the optical strip in the second position.
 2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unit further comprises a first elastic element moving the first unit from the second position to the first position when the magnetic force is removed.
 3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first unit further comprises a first pipe connected to the first cleaning element.
 4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is a permanent magnetic.
 5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first magnetic element is a permanent magnetic, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second unit further comprises a second cleaning element disposed on the second magnetic element.
 8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first unit further comprises a first elastic element, the second unit further comprises a second elastic element, and when the magnetic force is removed, the first elastic element moves the first unit from the second position to the first position, and the second elastic element moves the second unit from the second position to the first position.
 9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first unit further comprises a first pipe connected to the first cleaning element, and the second unit further comprises a second pipe connected to the second cleaning element.
 10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is a permanent magnetic.
 11. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first magnetic element is a permanent magnetic, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 12. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 13. A printer, comprising: a guide rod; an optical strip, parallel to the guide rod; an inkjet device, disposed on the guide rod, comprising an encoder, wherein the optical strip passes the encoder; a cleaning device, cleaning the optical strip, wherein the optical strip passes the cleaning device.
 14. The printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cleaning device comprises a first unit and a second unit, the first unit comprises a first cleaning element and a first magnetic element, the second unit comprises a second magnetic element, wherein the first unit moves from a first position to a second position by magnetic force between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, and the first cleaning element contacts and cleans the optical strip in the second position.
 15. The printer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first unit further comprises: a first elastic element moving the first unit from the second position to the first position when the magnetic force is removed.
 16. The printer as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first unit further comprises a first pipe connected to the first cleaning element.
 17. The printer as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is a permanent magnetic.
 18. The printer as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first magnetic element is a permanent magnetic, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 19. The printer as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 20. The printer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second unit further comprises a second cleaning element disposed on the second magnetic element.
 21. The printer as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first unit further comprises a first elastic element, the second unit further comprises a second elastic element, and when the magnetic force is removed, the first elastic element move the first unit from the second position to the first position, and the second elastic element move the second unit from the second position to the first position.
 22. The printer as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first unit further comprises a first pipe connected to the first cleaning element, and the second unit further comprises a second pipe connected to the second cleaning element.
 23. The printer as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is a permanent magnetic.
 24. The printer as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first magnetic element is a permanent magnetic, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 25. The printer as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first magnetic element is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic element is an electromagnet.
 26. The printer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cleaning device runs along the optical strip in phase with the encoder. 